PGHW - The Almanac

[AboardTheArk]

At some point, relatively early on I stopped keeping up with this dynasty, and it was a huge mistake as it's developing incredibly and I love how frugal you've been in terms of signings. Keep up the great work!

[Scottie]

On 10/4/2023 at 2:08 AM, Chaddes said:

The BISON & Brute era's gonna continue baybay let's goooo

I'm still trying to work out exactly where they fit in - I hadn't expected Brute Kikuchi's stint with BHOTWG to finish so quickly!

On 10/4/2023 at 10:47 PM, AboardTheArk said:

At some point, relatively early on I stopped keeping up with this dynasty, and it was a huge mistake as it's developing incredibly and I love how frugal you've been in terms of signings. Keep up the great work!

Thanks very much for checking back in! I've tried to keep the roster relatively stable, with some perhaps less standard foreign wrestlers popping in and out (i.e. not the usual suspects like Logan Wolfsbaine, etc. - even though I've got him in the American based developmental promotion...).

[Scottie]

PGHW USA UPDATE: TROY CONTINUES TO DOMINATE ACROSS THE PACIFIC

Nearly a year since opening its American off-shoot, PGHW USA continues to make steady progress in front of small crowds from its home in Los Angeles.

It's most recent event - PGHW USA "The End Is Near" - saw a record 688 fans in attendance as United States Champion Troy (better known from his eighteen years in TCW as Troy Tornado) make his fourth successful defence against former USPW youngster BSH (better known to some as Bash Street).

It was the first meeting between the pair, with Troy playing the underdog against the 25-year old brawler, only to manage to pick up the win with the Star Maker.

Elsewhere, the rising American Cobras bested the former PGHW team of Iron Might after their good showing late last year in the Elite Tag Series; and Austin Smooth retained the US Junior Heavyweight Title against Warren Technique.

With Fumihiro Ota at the helm, and booking by Rick Sanders, PGHW USA is becoming a fun little show - and it can of course be streamed live around the world via PGHW Global via pghw.jp/international. The next show - "War Machine" - will see Troy defend against Logan Wolfsbaine and BSH try to bounce back against Marcel LeFleur.

PGHW USA “The End Is Near”, 06.03.2022 (PGHW Global)
Las Angeles, CA
688 Fans
[50]

1. Toshinari Matsumoto defeated Delirium (8:21) with the 450 Splash. [52]
2. Dynamite Narahashi defeated James Diaz (7:10) with the Cutter. [52]
3. Rob Reynolds defeated Hammer Hadley (9:43) with the Real Deal Rocker. [53]
4. Ray Snow defeated Matt Blackburn (7:30) with an Armbar. [50]
5. Ethan Engels, Logan Wolfsbaine & Marcel LeFleur defeated Rafe Sashay, Spencer Edmund & Washi Heat (12:50) with the Belly-to-Belly Suplex from Wolfsbaine to Edmund. [57]
6. United States Junior Heavyweight Title: Austin Smooth (c) defeated Warren Technique (14:22) with the Smooth Hold (12th defence). [54]
7. The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane) defeated Iron Might (Danny Cavanagh & Timmy West) (14:44) with the Marvel Breaker from Molloy to West. [57]
8. United States Title: Troy (c) defeated BSH (10:22) with the Star Maker (4th defence). [48]

 

[Scottie]

PGHW DOJO
YOUNG LIONS - CLASS OF 2022

Look out for the following young lions, who are ready to make their mark in PGHW in upcoming tours:

HIROSHI ITO
21 YEARS OLD
5 FOOT 11 INCH (180 CM) - 175 LBS (79 KG) - SKINNY MIDDLEWEIGHT
SIGNATURE MOVE: ITO ARMBAR
STRENGTHS: TECHNICAL; PSYCHOLOGY; CONSISTENCY; STAMINA
DEVELOPMENT AREAS: POWER; STAR QUALITY

KAZUKI TANIGUCHI
18 YEARS OLD
5 FOOT 8 INCH (173 CM) - 165 LBS (74 KG) - TONED LIGHTWEIGHT
SIGNATURE MOVE: REVERSE CUTTER
STRENGTHS: CHARISMA; CONSISTENCY; MICROPHONE
DEVELOPMENT AREAS: AERIAL; POWER; PSYCHOLOGY

 TAKASHI FUJIMURA 
23 YEARS OLD
6 FOOT 7 INCH (200 CM) - 296 LBS (134 KG) - FLABBY HEAVYWEIGHT
SIGNATURE MOVE: SUMMER GUTBUSTER
STRENGTHS: BASICS; POWER; PURORESU
DEVELOPMENT AREAS: MENACE; PSYCHOLOGY; TOUGHNESS

[Chaddes]

The Hiroshi Ito Goldberg push is gonna be wild ❤️

I've never played as a company with developmental/subsidiary, are you booking PGHW USA on your own? Or is that the AI? This is one of my favourite threads on here I adore your presentation and PGHW is one of my favourite companies in the database

[Scottie]

FORTITUDE TOUR
MARCH - APRIL 2022

Whereas the "PRIDE Series" focused on PGHW's singles division, the 2022 instalment of the "FORTITUDE Series" focused on the tag division, as PGHW scrambled to crown new Glory Tag Crown Champions following the departure of Tetsunori Yasuda to BHOTWG.

The eight-team tournament, billed as the "Search for the 34th Champions", included some of the strongest teams in Japanese wrestling - though it did also show the comparative shallowness of the PGHW tag division, with the likes of The Lions of Japan, AKIMA & Joey Fili and The Ivanoff Brothers rounding out the field.

Before the series got underway, there was the annual "Nagoya Puroresu Festival" to attend to, which saw the team of Joshua Taylor & Seiji Jimbo win in the main event over Bussho Makiguchi & Tsurayuki Kamachi. It wasn't great preparation for the tag title tournament for the latter pair, who were hoping to surprise many by becoming the 34th Champions. Elsewhere, AKIMA made his second defence of the Historical Japan Title, in a hard-hitting win over first-time challenger KITA.

“Nagoya Puroresu Festival 2022", 29.03.2022 (Prime Japan TV/PGHW Global)
Nagoya
30,000 Fans - Super No Vacancy
564,147 Viewers (0.75 Rating)
[80]

1. Magnum Kobe defeated Joey Fili (7:35) with the Amazing Red. [70] [★★★]
2. Akinori Kwakami & Noriyori Sanda defeated Goro Sakamoto & Mutant (12:52) with the Exploder XXL from Sanda to Sakamoto. [75] [★★★½]
3. Chojiro Kitoaji & The Ivanoff Brothers (Igor Ivanoff & Ivan Ivanoff) defeated Hirokazu Yamanoue, Masaru Ugaki & Tom Gilmore (14:17) with the Lariat from Kitoaji to Yamanoue. [80] [★★★¾]
4. SATO & The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furata) defeated Coyote Club (BISON Yano, Brute Kikuchi & Toyotomi Yasutake) (14:23) with the Wind Spirit Elbow from SATO to Yasutake. [76] [★★★½]
5. Historical Japan: AKIMA (c) defeated KITA (12:11) with the Spear Tackle (2nd defence). [80] [★★★¾]
6. Special Tag Team Match: Joshua Taylor & Seiji Jimbo defeated Bussho Makiguchi & Tsurayuki Kamachi (14:47) with the Ocean Lock from Jimbo to Kamachi. [80] [★★★¾]

Following a fun show, there were six tour shows before the series-ending "Night of FORTITUDE" show from Kyoto. There were few surprises, really, in the tournament proper - there were four real favourites, and each easily won their opening bouts to set up two big semi-finals on the penultimate night of the tour, in a show that would be broadcast live on Japanese Sports Vision:

Akinori Kwakami & Noriyori Sanda vs. BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi
Bussho Makiguchi & Tsurayki Kamachi vs. Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe

Otherwise, the series struggled for big stories. Tom Gilmore looked to prepare himself for a shot at the International Title, with a series of multi-man matches and a scratchy win over the veteran Hirokazu Yamanoue; while Masaru Ugaki made his displeasure known against Joshua Taylor, following the latter's victory over Ugaki in the Elite Series.

On the penultimate night of the tour, the finalists for the Glory Tag Crown match were decided. In the first semi-final, Magnum Kobe & Hirotsugu Satou bested Bussho Makiguchi & Tsurauki Kamachi, although the result had a question mark over it as Kobe stretched the rules to stun Kamachi from the apron, leaving him vulnerable to Satou's submission skills.

The biggest result came in the main event, as Akinori Kwakami & Noriyori Sanda valiantly overcame the giant duo of BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi. With Sanda on the receiving end of a beating, the challengers looked in even more trouble as The Front's Michio Gensai, Mutant & Yasunobu Masuno made their way down to the ring - a rare interference in the Japanese promotion, as the giant trio looked to continue their beef with the veteran pairing.

Not one to back down from a fight, the tough Kwakami confronted all three intruders on the outside of the ring and demanded they leave. The confusion was enough to distract even the giant Kikuchi, who stood idly near the ropes watching the confrontation with a grin on his face. The battered Sanda capitalised on the distraction - hitting Kikuchi with the Exploder XXL and picking up the surprise pinfall - much to the frustration of BISON Yano on the apron, and the shocked anger of the interfering trio.

Poor Sanda had little time to celebrate, as The Front struck in a brutal three-on-two beat down - with both Kwakami & Sanda taking a real beating from the furious trio. It was again a rare sight in PGHW, with the biggest heel faction in the promotion standing tall to end the show.

(Editor's Note: I accidentally booked the wrong winner).

PGHW “FORTITUDE Series", 13.04.2022 (Japanese Sports Vision)
Kobe
30,000 Fans - Super No Vacancy
999,114 Viewers (1.33 Rating)
[77]

1. Sanjiro Sasaki defeated Motoyuke Miyake (8:17) with the Serenity Shock. [40] [★½]
2. Kazushige Matsuki & Michio Gensai defeated The Ivanoff Brothers (Igor Ivanoff & Ivan Ivanoff) (10:10) with the Fist of Fury from Matsuki to Igor. [70] [★★★]
3. Chojiro Kitoaji, KITA & SATO defeated Andrew Harper, Hitomaro Suzuki & Yasunobu Masuno (12:07) with the Lariat from Kitoaji to Harper. [77] [★★★½]
4. Seiji Jimbo & Yuri Yoshihara defeated Masaru Ugaki & Toyotomi Yasutake (12:12) with the Ocean Lock from Jimbo to Yasutake. [76] [★★★½]
5. Pacific United (AKIMA, Joey Fili & The Kiwi Crusher) defeated Hirokazu Yamanoue & The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furata) (9:44) with the Spear Tackle from AKIMA to Furata. [64] [★★½]
6. RONIN VII (Avalanche Takano, Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor) & Minoru Nakahata defeated Hirobumi Takimoto, Hiroshi Ito, Kozue Kawashima & Tom Gilmore (16:02) with the Mountain Takano from Takano to Ito. [66] [★★½]
7. Glory Tag Crown Tournament - Semi-Final: Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe defeated Bussho Makiguchi & Tsurayuki Kamachi (18:30) with the Scorpion Death Lock from Satou to Kamachi. [76] [★★★½]
8. Glory Tag Crown Tournament - Semi-Final: Akinori Kwakami & Noriyori Sanda defeated BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (15:07) with the Exploder XXL from Sanda to Kikuchi. [79] [★★★¾]

* * * * *

Just over 25,000 fans turned out in Kyoto for "Night of FORTITUDE" to see the 34th Glory Tag Crown Champions be crowned.

Dominance from The Front

On the undercard, Haranobu Kobayashi looked to avenge the attack on his RONIN VII team mates on the final show of the tour, but was unable to overcome The Front's Mutant who accounted for him with a new finishing move - a sit-out power bomb called the "M-Bomb". The Front's reign of terror continued in the second bout of the night, as Kazushige Matsuki, Micho Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno combined for a dominant win over Hitomaro Suzuki & The Lions of Japan in a low-stakes six-man bout.

Legend to the rescue

But perhaps the biggest news of the night came in the night's third bout, as Chojiro Kitoaji teamed up with KITA & SATO against Andrew Harper, BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi.

Last month, Kitoaji went so close to qualifying for the final of the Elite Series - only to fall just short at "Night of PRIDE" in front of the namesake of his group, Eisaku Kunomasu. In the lead-up to this series, the 51-year old Kunomasu implored Kitoaji to use the disappointment of his Elite Series loss to rise to new heights - even promising to sit in the front row of the six-man bout at "Night of FORTITUDE" to see what Kitoaji had learned.

It's fair to say that Kitoaji fought like a man possessed. Even as his team was outsized by the giant trio, Kitoaji was electric - eventually securing the win for his team with a massive Lariat on the American Harper to finish an excellent brawl.

After the disappointment of their loss in the Glory Tag Crown tournament, an incensed Yano & Kikuchi struck after the bout - attacking their long-time rival Kitoaji along with the Historical Japan Tag Team Champions, with the assistance of Harper.

The prolonged beat down drew the ire of the crowd - but that soon turned to real excitement as the veteran Kunomasu jumped the railing and entered the ring. Faced with the ageing veteran, Harper, Yano & Kikuchi almost doubled over in laughter - but that laughter soon turned to shock as Kunomasu knocked Harper clean out with a savage kick to the stomach and savate kick to the head. Before Yano & Kikuchi could respond, they were then send packing by Kitoaji - who shook the veteran Kunomasu's hand after the bout.

Takano's reign continues

Whereas 2021 was a career year for him, 2022 has been a slower start from the International Champion Avalanche Takano, with a series of underwhelming defences against the likes of BISON Yano, Hitomaro Suzuki, Andrew Harper and most recently Mimic.

At "Night of FORTITUDE", he had the chance to arrest that with a showdown against the veteran Tom Gilmore, a former SWF World Heavyweight Champion.

Unfortunately for Takano, Gilmore was not the opponent he needed. Now 44 years old, the ravages of his career have taken their toll, and it meant that Takano had to carry the match - a role he's still not quite accustomed to.

The two did their best to tell a story, but it just wasn't their night. After 13:54, Takano eventually finished the bout with a Mountain Takano - but that was only after taking a little too much offence from the ageing challenger. With five defences under his belt, Takano is getting the results in the ring - but his reign as International Champion just isn't landing.

Glory Tag Crown Champions decided

The main event was the highlight of the show, with many expecting a sensational bout against two of the best teams in PGHW.

In one corner, it was the experienced duo of Akinori Kwakami & Noriyori Sanda - tag team legends individually, who had teamed up in recent years following the retirements of their long-term partners (Nobuatsu Tatsuko, in the case of Sanda; and Mito Miwa, in the case of Kwakami). In the other corner, it was the team of Magnum Kobe & Hirotsugu Satou, who had each spent the second half of 2021 in the main event scene, and who had little difficulty in breaking the spirit of PGHW with their "win at all costs" way.

The veteran duo of Kwakami & Sanda were still reeling from their brutal beat down at the hands of The Front just two days earlier. Meanwhile, Kobe & Satou were comparatively fresh - and every time that Kwakami & Sanda threatened to take control, they found a way to keep them at bay. It made for an interesting bout, but meant that the match never quite reached the heights expected of it - and the story perhaps went on a little long.

Eventually, with a wounded Sanda going to the top rope, Kobe rushed him from the apron and caused him to lose balance. That gave Satou enough time to climb up and hit a giant super-plex from the top rope, sending the veteran Sanda crashing to the canvas. The impact was enough to keep Sanda down for the three count - clearly, the damage of the past few days had taken too much.

After the bout, Kobe & Satou were ecstatic - showing no respect for the challengers as they celebrated in the most ungainly fashion. For Kobe, it was his first title in PGHW after multiple attempts - and a new dawn in the tag division following a series of hard-hitting champions.

PGHW “Night of FORTITUDE”, 15.04.2022 (Emperor Choice/PGHW Global)
Kyoto
25,424 Fans
595,687 Viewers (1.19 Rating)
[77]

1. Mutant defeated Haranobu Kobayashi (9:22) with the M-Bomb. [70] [★★★]
2. The Front (Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) defeated The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furata) & Hitomaro Suzuki (8:41) with the Avalanche Spike Slam from Gensai to Mihara. [60] [★★]
3. Chojiro Kitoaji, KITA & SATO defeated Andrew Harper, BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (15:03) with the Lariat from Kitoaji to Harper. [79] [★★★¾]
4. RONIN VII (Joshua Taylor, Seiji Jimbo & Yuri Yoshihara) defeated Coyote Club (Hirokazu Yamanoue, Masaru Ugaki & Toyotomi Yasutake) (11:33) with the Butterfly Lock from Taylor to Toyotomi. [71] [★★★]
5. Crimson Tigers (Bussho Makiguchi, Kozue Kawashima, Hirobumi Takamoto & Tsurayuki Kamachi) defeated Pacific United (AKIMA, Joey Fili & The Kiwi Crusher) & Goro Sakamoto (10:34) with the Kawashima Driver 2005 from Kawashima to Sakamoto. [71] [★★★]
6. International Title: Avalanche Takano (c) defeated Tom Gilmore (13:54) (5th defence). [64] [★★½]
7. Glory Tag Crown: Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe defeated Akinori Kwakami & Noriyori Sanda (22:44) with the Giant Suplex from Satou to Sanda (34th champions). [79] [★★★¾]

Debuts: The Kiwi Crusher (Sione Tokoeka, from MAW), Hiroshi Ito (Young Lion)
Returns: Eisaku Kunomasu

 

[Scottie]

On 10/19/2023 at 4:49 AM, Chaddes said:

The Hiroshi Ito Goldberg push is gonna be wild ❤️

I've never played as a company with developmental/subsidiary, are you booking PGHW USA on your own? Or is that the AI? This is one of my favourite threads on here I adore your presentation and PGHW is one of my favourite companies in the database

His render doesn't quite match "skinny middleweight", but let's see how he goes...

I'm not booking PGHW USA - I'm leaving it to the AI. I can't see anyone knocking Troy Tornado off as champion anytime soon either... Thanks for the feedback

[Scottie]

CURTAIN COMES DOWN ON "THE ROCKET"

15,000 fans turned out at Tokushima Baseball Stadium to see the conclusion of the 24-year career of three-time Glory Tag Crown Champion Ryoma Muruyama.

The 42-year old recently confirmed long awaited rumours of his retirement, some eighteen months after he succumbed to a devastating knee injury during the 2020 "COURAGE Series" in a six-man bout. Although he had suffered a number of knee injuries throughout his career, which forced him to re-invest himself from his original flashy high flying style, the most recent injury proved to be the final nail in the coffin.

In his hometown of Tokushima, past and present PGHW stars alike turned out to send the veteran off in an entertaining show. The main event saw his current stablemates, Masaru Ugaki, Hirokazu Yamanoue and young lion Toyotomi Yasutake prevail in a fun main event against long-time rival stable RONIN VII.

It was followed by an emotional presentation, where Muruyama was joined by stablemates and other PGHW stars to say farewell and thank the fans for their support.

“Ryoma Muruyama Retirement Show”, 22.04.2022 (Prime Japan TV/PGHW Global)
Tokushima Baseball Stadium
15,000 Fans - Super No Vacancy
[71]

1. Bussho Makiguchi defeated Andrew Harper (10:50) with the Blazing Elbow. [78]
2. Mutant & Yasunobu Masuno defeated Kimitada Yanagita & Minoru Nagahata (6:13) with the Day of Rackening from Masuno to Nagahata.
3. The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki & Michio Gensai) defeated Pacific United (AKIMA, Joey Fili & The Kiwi Crusher) (8:49) with the Fist of Fury from Matsuki to Fili. [66]
4. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Haranobu Kobayashi & Noriyori Sanda) defeated The Ivanoff Brothers (Igor Ivanoff & Ivan Ivanoff) & Gonnohyoe Kada (9:29) with the Kobayashi Plunge from Kobayashi to Igor. [70]
5. BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi defeated The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furata) (7:43) with the Choke Slam from Yano to Furata. [70]
6. Coyote Club (Hirokazu Yamanoue, Masaru Ugaki & Toyotomi Yasutake) defeated RONIN VII (Joshua Taylor, Seiji Jimbo & Yuri Yoshihara) (18:29) with the Ugaki Clutch from Ugaki to Yoshihara. [74]

It won't be the last we see of Muruyama, who promised to remain a member of Ugaki's Coyote Club - even if he will no longer compete in ring. Further, consistent with his long-time support of PGHW's emerging wrestlers, June's "STRENGTH Series" will see the debut of the rocket-shaped Muruyama Cup - a tournament which we understand will focus on the young lions of PGHW.

"THE ROCKET"
RYOMA MURUYAMA

UNIT	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	BLOOD TYPE
Coyote Club	180cm	85kg	A
PLACE OF BIRTH	YEAR OF BIRTH	DEBUT	FINISHERS
Tokushima, Shikoku	1979	1997	Muruyama Launch Running Knee

Ryoma "The Rocket" Muruyama is a PGHW star who came up through their dojo system.

When he debuted for them in 2003, Muruyama stood out from his peers in that he was a flashy high flyer, not the solid 'striking, suplex and submission' style that the company was famous for. Over the years he evolved his style (partly to protect his knees from further damage) and bulked up in weight, ending up far more similar in style and appearance to the other wrestlers near the top of the PGHW tree.

He became particularly famous for his team with Masaru Ugaki, which became one of the best in Japan. The pair claimed the Glory Tag Crown on three occasions (besting exceptional teams such as PRIDE Koiso & Kozue Kawashima, Nobuatsu Tatsuko & Noriyori Sanda and future stablemates BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi in the process) and the Elite Tag Series on two occasions, eventually establishing the Coyote Club faction which was headed by Ugaki with Muruyama his loyal deputy.

Although Muruyama perhaps fell into the trap of  being overshadowed by his more-talented partner, he was a popular member of the roster and even once claimed singles gold: winning the International Title in September 2013 over Seiji Jimbo.

2015 Tag Team of the Year
Glory Tag Crown [x3], Elite Tag Series [x2], International, International Tag Team

 

 

[Scottie]

"GLORY Series" - Pre-Tour Press Conference
2022 GLORY Series: Legend to make in-ring return

OSAKA, Japan - Four years after his retirement, 51-year old former Glory Crown Champion Eisaku Kunomasu will make his return to in-ring action, in a six-man tag bout against The Front at "Night of GLORY" in Kobe.

Many expected the 33-year veteran to wrestle forever, before his retirement in 2018 - a decision which saw the departure of another one of PGHW's original class of 1996.

But Kunomasu made a return to the spotlight at "Night of PRIDE", as he watched on as Chojiro Kitoaji and Seiji Jimbo met in a tiebreaker to decide the winner of the Kunomasu Block of the Elite Series. While it was Jimbo who prevailed, Kunomasu was clearly impressed by Kitoaji - even deciding to appear again the following month at "Night of FORTITUDE" to watch Kitoaji do battle in a six-man bout.

With Kitoaji impressing, Kunomasu could not just sit on his hands and watch as he was blindsided after the bout by an enraged trio of Andrew Harper, BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi; deciding to intervene and knocking the American Harper out.

Surprisingly, Yano & Kikuchi won't feature in Kunomasu's return, with the veteran instead teaming with Kitoaji & RONIN VII's Akinori Kwakami against one of the biggest forces in PGHW today: The Front's Michio Gensai, Kazushige Matsuki & Yasunobu Masuno. Kwakami in particular has a bone to pick with The Front, but there's equally no love lost between Kitoaji and his old rival Masuno.

The six-man bout will no doubt be a hotly anticipated affair, but the main event will see Magnum Kobe & Hirotsugu Satou put their Glory Tag Crown on the line for the first time, in a rematch against Bussho Makiguchi & Tsurayuki Kamachi.

The champions were seen by some to be lucky to beat Makiguchi & Kamachi during last month's title tournament, leading to an immediate rematch. 

PGHW “Night of GLORY”, 13.05.2022 (Emperor Choice/PGHW Global)
Kobe
Card subject to change

1. Mutant vs. Noriyori Sanda.
2. Coyote Club (BISON Yano, Brute Kikuchi & Masaru Ugaki) vs. RONIN VII (Haranobu Kobayashi, Joshua Taylor & Yuri Yoshihara).
3. Elite Series Rematch: SATO vs. Seiji Jimbo.
4. Hirobumi Takimoto & Kozue Kawashima vs. Andrew Harper & Tom Gilmore.
5. Kunomasu Return Match: Akinori Kwakami, Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu vs. The Front (Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno).
6. International Title: Avalanche Takano (c) vs. KITA.
7. Glory Tag Crown: Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) vs. Bussho Makiguchi & Tsurayuki Kamachi.

 

* * * * *

PGHW GLORY CROWN
THE 21st CHAMPION
EISAKU KUNOMASU

UNIT	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	BLOOD TYPE
Unaligned	176cm	80kg	AB
PLACE OF BIRTH	YEAR OF BIRTH	DEBUT	FINISHERS
Osaka	1970	1988	Kunomasu Vice; Roll-Through Kunomasu Vice

Eisaku Kunomasu was a highly respected worker who - when active - was one of the finest technical wrestlers of his generation.

One of the original stars of PGHW, he spent the early parts of his career working in the mid card and teaming with his namesake Eisaku Hoshino. However, in August 1998, he shocked Japan when, seemingly on the verge of great things (and having already won the Historical Japan Title against Shuji Inukai), he left to try and crack America by joining DAVE.

During his seven-year tenure with DAVE, Kunomasu enjoyed some success - though he never claimed the Extreme Title. Still, he was a two-time Brass Knuckles Champion - first besting Kurt Laramee in December 1999, and then again in May 2005 until just before his departure in August of that year. He spent most of his time having excellent technical bouts, although he wasn't afraid of brutal hardcore bouts too against the likes of Eddie Peak and Johnny Martin.

In 2005, Kunomasu returned to PGHW and a hero's welcome. But clearly his departure to DAVE seven years earlier hadn't been forgotten, and it took him six years to break through as he claimed the Elite Series for the first and only time in his career, beating PRIDE Koiso in the final in 2011 (only to lose to his nemesis Inukai later that year in a battle for the Glory Crown).

Finally, in August 2016, Kunomasu rose to the top of PGHW as he ended Yoshimi Mushashibo's fourth reign as champion - in a rare submission win over the PGHW legend. He held the title for nine months before losing it to Masaru Ugaki the following May.

Although that would be he his last time as champion, Kunomasu's trademark low-impact style served him well. Unlike the vast majority of his PGHW peers, he managed to stay injury free for most of his career and was still wrestling to a high standard well past his 45th birthday. He eventually decided to retire for the first time in 2018, which was a blow for the company as he was one of the few big stars that they had left.

Now in his fifties, there are question marks about what he can still do in the ring. He's in excellent physical shape, but has the game gone past him?

Veteran Wrestler of the Year [2015]
Glory Crown [x1], Elite Series [2011], Historical Japan [x1], DAVE Brass Knuckles [x2]

 

[Scottie]

GLORY TOUR
APRIL - MAY 2022

While a number of wrestlers put their grievances aside last month to celebrate the career of Ryoma Muruyama, the bitter rivalries were back on show in April and May as PGHW's "GLORY Series" took place.

Much of the tour was spent building towards the three big matches at "Night of GLORY". While the Glory Crown wouldn't be on the line, two of Kozue Kawashima's stablemates, Bussho Makiguchi & Tsurayuki Kamachi, were looking to bring the Glory Tag Crown into the Crimson Tigers against new champions Magnum Kobe & Hirotsugu Satou. The two teams would meet in a series of multi-man matches throughout the tour, but in a televised tour show from Kobe (live on Japanese Sports Vision) they competed separately - with both picking up wins.

Elsewhere, Elite Series break out star SATO was building towards a rematch with Seiji Jimbo at "Night of GLORY" in undoubtedly the biggest singles match of his career. In the televised show from Kobe, SATO got the slight upper hand as he joined with partner KITA to defend the Historical Japan Tag Titles against Jimbo & Yuri Yoshihara in an excellent main event.

Meanwhile, while Eisaku Kunomasu wouldn't make his return to the ring until "Night of GLORY", he did watch on as his partners Akinori Kwakami & Chojiro Kitoaji competed (usually separately) in tour matches throughout the series. Their mixed results meant that the makeshift team of Kitoaji, Kunomasu & Kwakami would have their work cut out for them against the dominant trio from The Front.

PGHW “GLORY Series", 05.05.2022 (Japanese Sports Vision)
Kobe
1,008,976 Viewers (1.34 Rating)
[80]

1. Mutant defeated Haranobu Kobayashi (7:37) with the Mutilator. [70] [★★★]
2. The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furata) defeated Joey Fili & The Kiwi Crusher (8:18) with a DDT from Furata to Fili. [35] [★]
3. BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi defeated Andrew Harper & Avalanche Takano (10:15) with the Choke Slam from Yano to Harper. [71] [★★★]
4. Masaru Ugaki, Hiroshi Ito & Toyotomi Yasutake defeated RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Joshua Taylor & Noriyori Sanda) (12:13) with a Roll-Up from Ugaki to Taylor. [63] [★★½]
5. REBEL (Hirotsugu Satou, Magnum Kobe & Motoyuke Miyake) defeated Chojiro Kitoaji & The Ivanoff Brothers (Igor Ivanoff & Ivan Ivanoff) (10:31) with the Amazing Red from Kobe to Ivan. [78] [★★★½]
6. Crimson Tigers (Bussho Makiguchi, Hirobumi Takimoto, Kozue Kawashima & Tsurayuki Kamachi) defeated The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) (11:33) with the Blazing Elbow from Makiguchi to Sakamoto. [80] [★★★¾]
7. Historical Japan Title: AKIMA (c) defeated Hirokazu Yamanoue (9:13) with the Spear Tackle (3rd defence). [70] [★★★]
8. Historical Japan Tag Team Titles: KITA & SATO (c) defeated Seiji Jimbo & Yuri Yoshihara (14:54) with the Wind Spirit Elbow from SATO to Yoshihara (7th defence). [82] [★★★★]

* * * * *

Just under 30,000 people turned out for "Night of GLORY" on May 13, but there were plenty more watching at home and around the world on the PGHW Global streaming platform. Indeed, it was just the second PGHW show (after March's "Night of PRIDE") to crack the 1.5 million mark in viewers around the world.

In the opening bout, the massive gai-jin Mutant picked up the biggest singles win of his career thus far, as he bested the 43-year old PGHW legend Noriyori Sanda. The pair have been locked in a rivalry which also included other members of their various stables, and the 12 minute bout was an interesting story. While their styles clashed, the bout ended up being a pretty good one - with the giant Mutant prevailing decisively. PGHW has put a lot of faith in Mutant - he's been booked incredibly stronger and is well protected - and it finally seems to be paying off in terms of fan reactions.

In other action, the rivalry between Joshua Taylor and Masaru Ugaki continued in a six-man bout involving their respective stables. The ultra-competitive Ugaki was incensed after losing to Taylor during the Elite Series, and has been hell-bent on getting his win back. He showed impressive skill to force the larger Haranobu Kobayashi to submit to the Ugaki Clutch, setting up a likely singles showdown at next month's "Night of STRENGTH".

Speaking of rematches, Elite Series runner-up Seiji Jimbo next faced off against the ever impressive Korean-born SATO in a Special Singles Match. The two met in a good bout during the Elite Series, where the more experienced Jimbo prevailed, but the impressive SATO was keen for another shot at the former Glory Crown Champion. In an excellent bout which lasted over 20 minutes, SATO went close to upsetting the former champion on a number of occasions - only for Jimbo to show incredible strength to stay in the bout. Eventually, Jimbo managed to win with the Jimbo Driver - but he offered SATO a handshake after the bout, with the underdog losing no face in his hard fought loss.

After that bout, there were a pair of matches which definitely had trouble following. In a tag bout, Kozue Kawashima & Hirobumi Takimoto combined to beat the American pair of Andrew Harper & Tom Gilmore. The bout was competitive, with Gilmore having a number of fun exchanges with Kawashima, but ultimately it was Takimoto who picked up the pin over Harper. Despite losing last month to Avalanche Takano, there does seem to be some legs to the rumours that Gilmore will be given a shot at Kawashima's Glory Crown before his contract expires this summer. In the next bout, Takano defended the International Title against KITA in a hard-hitting affair.

That led to the penultimate bout in what had been a long show already, which saw the highly anticipated return of Eisaku Kunomasu. The former Glory Crown Champion teamed with Akinori Kwakami & Chojiro Kitoaji to take on the nefarious trio of Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno, better known to many as The Front. The bout saw The Front dominate much of the bout - isolating Kitoaji and then Kwakami - while Kunomasu was left on the outside. The veteran eventually got the chance to get in some spots - it's fair to say he looked a little off the pace - before setting up Kitoaji for the Lariat on Gensai to pick up the win for his team. The bout had good heat, even if the result was never in doubt. Needless to say, Masuno looked furious after the bout.

That left the main event, as Magnum Kobe & Hirotsugu Satou looked to make their first defence of the Glory Tag Crown against tag team legend Bussho Makiguchi and his new partner Tsurayuki Kamachi. Even with a tired crowd, the bout was a fantastic one, with the exchanges between Kobe and Makiguchi particularly excellent as the two shone when given the chance. It was the typical Kobe & Satou bout as they used every trick in the book to avoid defeat and gain the upper hand - but they eventually won clean as a whistle, as the impressive Satou forced 36-year old Kamachi to submit to the Scorpion Death Lock. Kobe & Satou are still finding their bearings with their unexpected reign as champions, but this was an excellent start.

PGHW “Night of GLORY”, 13.05.2022 (Emperor Choice/PGHW Global)
Kobe Football Stadium
29,668 Fans
647,454 Viewers (1.29 Rating)
[83]

1. Mutant defeated Noriyori Sanda (12:24) with the M-Bomb. [71] [★★★]
2. Hiroshi Ito Debut Series Match #7: Motoyuke Miyake defeated Hiroshi Ito (7:34) with a Spinning Wheel Kick. [38] [★]
3. Pacific United (AKIMA, Joey Fili & The Kiwi Crusher) defeated Hitomaro Suzuki & The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furata) (9:32) with the Spear Tackle from AKIMA to Furata. [61] [★★]
4. Coyote Club (BISON Yano, Brute Kikuchi & Masaru Ugaki) defeated RONIN VII (Haranobu Kobayashi, Joshua Taylor & Yuri Yoshihara) (14:18) with the Ugaki Clutch from Ugaki to Kobayashi. [70] [★★★]
5. Special Singles Match: Seiji Jimbo defeated SATO (21:31) with the Jimbo Driver. [85] [★★★★]
6. Hirobumi Takimoto & Kozue Kawashima defeated Andrew Harper & Tom Gilmore (14:05) with the Pile Driver from Takimoto to Harper. [71] [★★★]
7. International Title: Avalanche Takano (c) defeated KITA (13:44) with the Mountain Takano (6th defence).
8. Kunomasu Return Match: Akinori Kwakami, Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu defeated The Front (Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) (21:38) with the Lariat from Kitoaji to Gensai. [81] [★★★¾]
9. Glory Tag Crown: Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) defeated Bussho Makiguchi & Tsurayuki Kamachi (23:33) with the Scorpion Death Lock from Satou to Kamachi (1st defence). [84] [★★★★]

 

 

[Scottie]

FACTION IN FOCUS
RONIN VII

        

      

AKINORI KWAKAMI - AVALANCHE TAKANO - HARANOBU KOBAYASHI - JOSHUA TAYLOR

NORIYORI SANDA - SEIJI JIMBO - YURI YOSHIHARA

Originally in April 2018 as an answer to Kozue Kawashima's Crimson Tigers, the stable began as the Three Warriors, as first-time Elite Series winner Seiji Jimbo joined forces with veteran tag team Akinori Kwakami & Noriyori Sanda to face off against Kawashima, Bussho Makiguchi & Chojiro Kitoaji in a six-man main event at "2018 Night of FORTITUDE".

After some initial success, the group expanded - with a vision of consisting of seven of the top "warriors" in Japan. Unlike other factions in Japanese wrestling, this group would have no defined leader - and thus, the RONIN VII was born.

In addition to the Three Warriors, the initial roster consisted of three-time International Champion William Hayes, two-time Historical Japan Champion Eien Miyamoto, the then highly impressive PGHW Dojo graduate Avalanche Takano and the three-time Historical Japan Champion Stone Yoshikawa.

While Jimbo, Kwakami, Sanda & Takano have remained a constant ever since, the balance of the RONIN VII has been relatively unstable. Magnum Kobe very briefly replaced Yoshikawa upon his debut in October 2018, but he proved unwilling to play by the rules and soon came to blows with the veteran RONIN. Kobe ultimately departed the stable on acrimonious terms after just three months, before being replaced by Mitsunari Fugunaga (for just two months himself) and then ultimately the impressive young heavyweight Haranobu Kobayashi. Similarly, the departures of Hayes and Miyamoto to BHOTWG in 2020 saw the arrival of veteran American Joshua Taylor and relative unknown Suguru Emoto, latter of whose stint plainly did not work out.

Finally, the current line-up appears to have achieved some stability, with Jimbo seemingly taking young Yuri Yoshihara (back from excursion in TCW, and replacing Emoto) under his wing and the rest of the squad pursuing their own goals. But for one of the first times in their history, the RONIN VII find themselves without any gold (whether singles or tag) around their waist.

While Jimbo will have a chance to rectify that following his win in the Elite Series, some wonder whether the veterans will again get impatient with the performance of some of the others in the group. For Kobayashi in particular, it may mean he finds himself on the chopping block again.

 

 

Edited October 28, 2023 by Scottie

[Scottie]

"STRENGTH Series"
2022 STRENGTH Series: Field for first Muruyama Cup revealed

KOBE, Japan - The legacy of the recently retired PGHW veteran Ryoma Muruyama will be immortalised in this year's "STRENGTH Series", as his contribution to mentoring and training young lions will be recognised with the first ever "Muruyama Cup".

The eight-man round robin tournament is due to take place throughout the series, with the inaugural field consisting of eight graduates from the famed PGHW Dojo - with the two leaders at the end of the block stage meeting in the final at "Night of STRENGTH" on Jun. 11.

The field includes wrestlers of different levels of responsibility, with the likes of Minoru Nakahata, Shinji Mihara, Shozo Furuta and Yuri Yoshihara already having completed international excursions. Meanwhile, the impressive Masatochi Kamimura is hoping for the opportunity for an excursion in the coming months, while Goro Sakamoto, Sanjiro Sasaki and the teenaged Toyotomi Yasutake are all in just their second year.

As noted above, the final will take place at "Night of STRENGTH", a show which already sees a number of big bouts including Kozue Kawashima vs. Tom Gilmore for the Glory Crown, Avalanche Takano vs. SATO for the International Title and a singles rematch between Joshua Taylor and Masaru Ugaki.

GORO SAKAMOTO 24 years old The Front	MASATOCHI KAMIMURA 22 years old Unaligned	MINORU NAKAHARA 22 years old Unaligned Protege of Magnum Kobe	SANJIRO SASAKI 24 years old Unaligned Protege of Akinori Kwakami
SHINJI MIHARA 24 years old Unaligned	SHOZO FURUTA 26 years old Unaligned Protege of Nobuatsu Tatsuko	TOYOTOMI YASUTAKE 19 years old Coyote Club Protege of Masaru Ugaki	YURI YOSHIHARA 23 years old RONIN VII

[Scottie]

STRENGTH TOUR
MAY - JUNE 2022

As we approached the half way point of 2022, the "STRENGTH Series" took place as PGHW edged closer to the next of its big four shows, "Night of HONOUR" in August.  

As per usual, much of the series consisted of multi-man matches aimed at building towards the tour ending PPV, though there were two televised shows on the way. The most noteworthy was in fact the first, which saw a title change in the main event as BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi bested KITA & SATO to become the third winners of the Historical Japan Tag Team Titles. Elsewhere, Tom Gilmore picked up an important win ahead of his Glory Crown shot at "Night of STRENGTH", as he pinned the young lion Hiroshi Ito in a six-man tag team match.

PGHW “GLORY Series", 24.05.2022 (Prime Japan TV/PGHW Global)
Kobe
487,829 Viewers (0.65 Rating)
[74]

1. Muruyama Cup: Sanjiro Sasaki [2] defeated Masatochi Kamimura (8:25) with the Reverse DDT. [37] [★]
2. Muruyama Cup: Toyotomi Yasutake [2] defeated Minoru Nakahata (8:30) with the Slingshot Legdrop. [28] [¾★]
3. Chojiro Kitoaji & Joshua Taylor defeated Andrew Harper & Minoru Suzuki (10:10) with the Lariat from Kitoaji to Harper. [65] [★★½]
4. Tom Gilmore & The Ivanoff Brother (Igor Ivanoff & Ivan Ivanoff) defeated Bussho Makiguchi, Hiroshi Ito & Tsurayuki Kamachi (10:29) with the Anger Management from Gilmore to Ito. [62] [★★½]
5. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara) defeated The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Mutant & Yasunobu Masuno) (12:17) with the Pain Lock from Kwakami to Sakamoto. [63] [★★½]
6. Hirobumi Takimoto & Kozue Kawashima defeated The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furata) (11:16) with the Gutwrench Tombstone from Takimoto to Furata. [70] [★★★]
7. RONIN VII (Avalanche Takano, Haranobu Kobayashi & Seiji Jimbo) defeated Pacific United (AKIMA, Joey Fili & The Kiwi Crusher) (14:09) with the Kobayashi Plunge from Kobayashi to Crusher. [72] [★★★]
8. Historical Japan Tag Team Titles: BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi defeated KITA & SATO (c) (21:39) with the Yano Express from Yano to KITA (Failed 8th defence -> 3rd Champions). [77] [★★★½]

Otherwise, the "STRENGTH" Series struggled to hit its flow, with the start of each show dedicated to the young lions who - while very grateful for the experience - clearly looked lost at times in the absent of more experienced hands to guide them. There were a number of points shared, and only one bout that went the journey (each match had a maximum time limit of 15 minutes, which was ample), with the Lion of Japan Shozo Furuta finishing top with 11 points, and Yuri Yoshihara finishing second on nine points. The two will meet in the Cup final at "Night of STRENGTH".

MURUYAMA CUP	Points	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
1. Shozo FURUTA	11		D	O	O	X	O	O	O
2. Yuri YOSHIHARA	9	D		X	O	O	O	X	O
3. Masatochi KAMIMURA	8	X	O		O	O	X	O	X
4. Shinji MIHARA	8	X	X	X		O	O	O	O
5. Toyotomi YASUTAKE	8	O	X	X	X		O	O	O
6. Goro SAKAMOTO	6	X	X	O	X	X		O	O
7. Minoru NAKAHATA	4	X	O	X	X	X	X		O
8. Sanjiro SASAKI	2	X	X	O	X	X	X	X

* * * * *

Just under 30,000 fans turned out to see the showdown between Kozue Kawashima and Tom Gilmore, though it was not the most anticipated main event in recent times given Gilmore's patchy results and the fact that, at 44 years of age, he is clearly near the end of his career.

In the night's opening bout, Yuri Yoshihara claimed the inaugural Muruyama Cup with a pinfall win over block leader Shozo Furuta. The match lasted just over ten minutes, but mercifully came to an end with a Running Bulldog from Yoshihara. The cup is a good way to get these younger wrestlers some singles match experience, but PGHW will no doubt consider tweaking the tournament next year after a series of quite dreadful matches.

In the second bout, BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi defended their newly won Historical Japan Tag Team Titles for the first time against five-time USPW World Tag Team Champions Savage Fury. The bout itself was short and nothing to write home about, but it marks perhaps the biggest match left in Java's career as the 49-year old PGHW original prepares to retire later this year.

In a singles bout, Masaru Ugaki got a measure of revenge against Joshua Taylor as their feud came to an end in a decent, if not a little too long, Special Singles bout. Taylor effectively cost Ugaki a chance at winning his block in the Elite Series following a surprise win, and Ugaki has been hell-bent on getting his win back. He did so here, forcing the experienced American to submit to the Ugaki Clutch in the process. After the bout, he said that he had his eye on reclaiming gold - though he wasn't clear on which gold he planned on winning.

The first of the big bouts of the night was next, as Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu faced off against Mutant & Yasunobu Masuno in a tag team match. The bout was hotly contested, with Kitoaji & Kunomasu playing the underdog against their far larger opponents. But eventually it was Kitoaji who claimed the win for his team, handing Masuno a rare pinfall loss with a giant Lariat. The frustration was plain on the face of Mutant who left without saying a word to his partner, while Kitoaji and Kunomasu had a nice post-match moment where they agreed to continue teaming for the near future.

In the penultimate bout, the International Title reign of Avalanche Takano came to an end in a decent bout with the fast-rising SATO. After a strong showing in the Elite Series, and then after taking Seiji Jimbo to the limit last month, SATO won the International Title for the first time with a clean victory over the larger Takano - nailing him with the Wind Spirit Elbow for the pinfall. It ends a disappointing reign for Takano, who had looked so promising last year where he ended 2021 as a dual champion.

That left only the main event, as Kozue Kawashima and Tom Gilmore met in singles action for just the second time - the first of course coming earlier this year in the Elite Series, where Kawashima won. This bout was all in the story, as the veteran Gilmore in effect played the underdog against the confident champion, and he even managed to get some of the crowd to barrack in his favour - in a shock for the PGHW "ace". The match lasted over 20 minutes, but the result was never really in doubt as Kawashima secured his fourth defence of the Glory Crown. Though to Gilmore's credit, it was one of his best singles showings since returning from injury.

After the bout, Kawashima and Gilmore shook hands - leading to the arrival of Elite Series winner Seiji Jimbo. The old rival of Kawashima, who bested Kawashima in the Elite Series final earlier this year, hasn't lost a singles match in nearly two years when he lost the Glory Crown to Yasunobu Masuno. He said the time had come to recapture the Glory Crown, and he formally challenged Kawashima for the belt at "Night of HONOUR" in two months time. Kawashima didn't hesitate: he said Jimbo was on, and he looked forward to rectifying the only blemish on his recent record by beating his bitter rival.

PGHW “Night of STRENGTH”, 11.06.2022 (Emperor Choice/PGHW Global)
Kobe Football Stadium
28,224 Fans
623,929 Viewers (1.24 Rating)
[78]

1. Muruyama Cup - Final: Yuri Yoshihara defeated Shozo Furuta (10:36) with the Running Bulldog. [30] [¾★] 
2. Historical Japan Tag Team Titles: BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi defeated Savage Fury (Java & Tribal Warrior) (8:13) with the Yano Express from Yano to Java (1st defence). [59] [★¾] 
3. Crimson Tigers (Bussho Makiguchi, Hirobumi Takimoto & Tsurayuki Kamachi) & Andrew Harper defeated RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Haranobu Kobayashi, Noriyori Sanda & Seiji Jimbo) (13:50) with the Blazing Elbow from Makiguchi to Kobayashi. [67] [★★¾]
4. Special Singles Match: Masaru Ugaki defeated Joshua Taylor (21:32) with the Ugaki Clutch. [78] [★★★½]
5. Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu defeated Mutant & Yasunobu Masuno (16:41) with the Lariat from Kitoaji to Masuno. [73] [★★★]
6. Glory Tag Crown: Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) defeated AKIMA & Joey Fili (12:43) with the Amazing Red from Kobe to Fili (2nd defence). [77] [★★★½]
7. International Title: SATO defeated Avalanche Takano (c) (21:41) with the Wind Spirit Elbow (Failed 6th defence -> 23rd Champion). [78] [★★★½]
8.  Glory Crown: Kozue Kawashima (c) defeated Tom Gilmore (20:30) with the Kawashima Driver 2005 (4th defence). [80] [★★★¾]

 

[Willsky]

First time in a while I can see Kawashima maybe dropping the belt. Let's go Jimbo!

[Scottie]

WARRIORS TOUR
JUNE - JULY 2022

PGHW passed the half way mark in 2022 as the "WARRIORS Series" took flight across Japan.

It was building to a massive triple header at "Night of WARRIORS": a 5 vs. 5 Survival Style match involving the two competitors for the Glory Crown, Kozue Kawashima and Seiji Jimbo; a stacked tag team battle between Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu and Masaru Ugaki & Hirokazu Yamanoue; and a tough first defence for SATO, as he put the International Title on the line against 40-year old veteran Akinori Kwakami.

"Night of WARRIORS" would also see the curtain come down (at least in Japan) on the career of PGHW original and five-time USPW World Tag Team Champion Java. The 49-year old would team with his long-time partner Tribal Warrior for one last time in a PGHW ring, in a tag battle against the hoss team of Kazushige Matsuki & Michio Gensai. The rails had come off Matsuki's 2022 in a way - after a big start as Glory Tag Crown Champion and a shot at Kawashima's Glory Crown, he'd struggled to find his way following the departure of partner Tetsunori Yasuda to BHOTWG. This, perhaps, was a way to kick start the second half of the year alongside the impressive Gensai.

* * * * *

Just under 25,000 fans were in Osaka for the series ending "Night of WARRIORS" on Jul. 8. It was a slightly lower crowd in recent times - perhaps sparked by antipathy about the survival style main event. It seemed a little unfair - there were some good bouts on the card to be sure.

The undercard saw the final trial bout of young lion Takashi Fujimara who, as is common, suffered a clean sweep of singles defeats throughout the series. His opponent was the former BHOTWG junior heavyweight Chomei Sugiyama, who made his debut with PGHW on a televised show earlier in the tour. It was the latter's first singles match in PGHW, and while he didn't have a lot to work with in the form of the green Fujimara, the two put on a decent bout - Sugiyama submitting the young lion with the Sugiyama Vice. It will be interesting to see where Sugiyama sits in PGHW - he's clearly undersized, but is a handy wrestler.

Elsewhere, Java combined with his long-time partner Tribal Warrior for his final match inside a PGHW ring - nearly 26 years since he debuted for the Japanese promotion back in October 1996. Although he never won gold, he was a mainstay of the lower card and was warmly received by fans in Osaka. The bout against The Front's Kazushige Matsuki & Michio Gensai was a little longer than expected, and lacked any finesse, but it was a fun little bout. Matsuki ended Java's Japanese career with the Fist of Fury in just under ten minutes, but the usually abrasive pairing were respectfully as Java bowed to the crowd post-match and celebrated with Tribal Warrior. While Java will shortly hang up the boots, the 49-year old Tribal Warrior has indicated he will continue - it waits to be seen whether there's a spot for him in the PGHW roster.

In an eagerly anticipated bout, the rising star SATO defended his newly won International Title for the first time against former champion and Elite Series winner Akinori Kwakami. The two last met during the Elite Series in March, where the veteran Kwakami picked up the win, so the champion was keen to make amends. Their bout actually didn't quite match their showing in the Elite Series, and perhaps SATO could be criticised of being overawed by the occasion. Still, he picked up a very important win - defending his title with the Wind Spirit Elbow to start his reign on a very high note. Already, it seems to have sparked some life into the International Title after the mis-fire with Avalanche Takano.

That bout was followed by a tag match involving three veterans of PGHW, as Eisaku Kunomasu & Chojiro Kitoaji combined to face Masaru Ugaki & Hirokazu Yamanoue. In some ways, the match was hamstrung by the performances of Kunomasu and Yamanoue - two genuine veterans who were left doing a little bit too much work. But it was still an entertaining bout, and it was marked by some genuinely excellent exchanges between Kitoaji and Ugaki. After nearly twenty minutes, Kunomasu locked Yamanoue in the Kunomasu Vice and forced him to submit - much to the frustration of Ugaki, who had made his intentions clear last month that he wanted to work his way towards a title.

After the bout, the celebration of Kitoaji & Kunomasu was cut short by the disparaging Magnum Kobe & Hirotsugu Satou. The back-and-forth eventually led to a match between the two teams at "Night of HONOUR" next month - with the Glory Tag Crown on the line! Not a bad return for Kunomasu, really.

That result meant that only the main event was left - with a 5 vs. 5 Survival Match. In one corner, it was Kozue Kawashima along with his stablemates Bussho Makiguchi, Hirobumi Takimoto & Tsurayuki Kamachi - as well as the honorary Crimson Tiger for the night, Tom Gilmore. Kawashima had grown the Crimson Tigers in recent months, which now also included the young pairing The Lions of Japan, although they sat this bout out. In the other corner, it was five members of RONIN VII, as Elite Series winner Seiji Jimbo combined with Avalanche Takano, Haranobu Kobayashi, Joshua Taylor & Noriyori Sanda.

The stakes were high enough - there were bragging rights and momentum on the line ahead of "Night of PRIDE".

Eventually, the bout came down to a 2-on-1 affair, as Kawashima and Makiguchi whittled RONIN VII down to just the Elite Series winner, Jimbo. Jimbo went close on a number of occasions to knocking down Makiguchi - but each time the talented Makiguchi was saved by Kawashima. Eventually, there was finally a 1-on-1 exchange between Kawashima and Jimbo, in which neither man quite managed to get the upper hand in a tense battle. But the numbers slowly wore Jimbo down, as he spent more than ten minutes effectively locked in a handicap match.

It eventually got too much, as Makiguchi surprised everyone by hitting Jimbo with back-to-back Blazing Elbows to secure the pinfall victory over the Glory Crown challenger. The two will meet next month at "Night of HONOUR" in an eagerly anticipated bout.

Soon after the bout, Jimbo managed to make his way to his feet and engage in a stare down with Kawashima. But it was Makiguchi who had made his mark - walking to the back with a content look on his face. This night wasn't really about him - but he'd made it his own.

PGHW “Night of WARRIORS”, 18.07.2022 (Emperor Choice/PGHW Global)
Osaka
24,559 Fans
617,188 Viewers (1.23 Rating)
[78]

1. Takashi Fujimara Debut Series - Match #8: Chomei Sugiyama defeated Takashi Fujimara (6:16) with the Lockdown. [51] [★½] 
2. Coyote Club (BISON Yano, Brute Kikuchi & Toyotomi Yasutake) defeated The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Mutant & Yasunobu Masuno) (11:34) with the Stereo Choke Slam from Kikuchi to Sakamoto. [59] [★¾] 
3. Java Retirement Match: Kazushige Matsuki & Michio Gensai defeated Savage Fury (Java & Tribal Warrior) (9:58) with the Fist of Fury from Matsuki to Java. [56] [★¾] 
4. REBEL (Hirotsugu Satou, Magnum Kobe & Minoru Nakahata) defeated Pacific United (AKIMA, Joey Fili & The Kiwi Crusher) (15:26) with the Scorpion Death Lock from Satou to Fili. [60] [★★]
5. International Title: SATO (c) defeated Akinori Kwakami (23:49) with the Wind Spirit Elbow. [81] [★★★¾]
6. Special Tag Team Match: Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu defeated Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki (19:28) with the Kunomasu Vice from Kunomasu to Yamanoue. [76] [★★★½]
7. 5 vs. 5 Surivival Match: Crimson Tigers (Bussho Makiguchi, Hirobumi Takimoto, Kozue Kawashima, Tom Gilmore & Tsurayuki Kamachi) defeated RONIN VII (Avalanche Takano, Haranobu Kobayashi, Joshua Taylor, Noriyori Sanda & Seiji Jimbo) (32:20). [81] [★★★¾]

Survival Match - Eliminations:

• Kamachi defeated Kobayashi (6:31) with a German Suplex Hold.
• Takano defeated Takimoto (10:21) with the Mountain Takano.
• Jimbo defeated Gilmore (13:36) with the Jimbo Driver.
• Makiguchi defeated Taylor (16:10) with the Blazing Elbow.
• Jimbo defeated Kamachi (18:54) with the Jimbo Driver.
• Kawashima defeated Takano (20:15) with the Kawashima Driver 2005.
• Kawashima defeated Sanda (20:51) with the Kawashima Driver 2005.
• Makiguchi defeated Jimbo (32:20) with the Blazing Elbow.

* * * * *

@Willsky Let's see! I'm not sure Kawashima's reign has really ever got going (probably a few too many filler defences), but Jimbo was being built up to go deep into the 2021 Elite Series too before he got injured - so maybe this is his chance to take back the Crown.

[Scottie]

One retiree, and two recent (lower level) signings:

JAVA

UNIT	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	BLOOD TYPE
Savage Fury	185cm	135kg	A
PLACE OF BIRTH	YEAR OF BIRTH	DEBUT	FINISHERS
Jakarta, Indonesia	1972	1990	Greetings from the Island

The veteran wrestler Java was an ultra-menacing 300lb+ heavyweight brawler who was born in Indonesia but brought up on the mean streets of Chicago.

He was never been a particularly great in-ring talent, but his size and genuinely scary appearance meant that he was always been able to get work.

He originally made his name as one of PGHW's big foreign draws in the late 1990s, actually scoring wins over the likes of Mito Miwa and Shuji Inukai.

He would later go on to have a twelve year run with USPW, where he struck gold alongside Tribal Warrior to form Savage Fury. The pair won the USPW World Tag Team Titles on five occasions, beating the likes of Rick Law & Captain USA, The Hillbillys and Freddie Datson & Des Davids. Meanwhile, Java himself had some singles success too, winning the National Title on three occasions - beating fellow giants Jim Force, Giant Redwood and T-Rex (in a real sign of the type of wrestler that succeeded in USPW in the late-2000's and early-2010's.

In 2015, he returned once more to Japan, this time working for BHOTWG. His stint there lasted until 2018, after which he returned to the United States - along with a brief stint with small promotion Hoosier State Pro Wrestling. He also made occasional appearances with the promotion in which he originally made his break, PGHW, before retiring alongside his long-time partner Tribal Warrior in 2022.

USPW World Tag Team [x5], USPW National [x3], HSPW Wrestling Spirit [x2], HSPW Midwest Tag Team [x2]

CHOMEI SUGIYAMA

UNIT	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	BLOOD TYPE
Unaligned	175cm	80kg	A
PLACE OF BIRTH	YEAR OF BIRTH	DEBUT	FINISHERS
Akita, Japan	1996	2016	Sugiyama Lockdown

Chomei Sugiyama is a Japanese competitor who came into the sport via the Hint Dojo.

He is an all-rounder, being able to fight against opponents of many styles. If he has one particularly strength it is perhaps his submission wrestling, as he seems to have a good arsenal of moves at his disposal. The best of those is probably the Sugiyama Lockdown, his version of the Anaconda Vice, which is likely to get him many victories over the course of his career.

After turning pro, he spent the first five years of his career with BHOTWG, fighting in the junior heavyweight division where he never really caught on. In his last years with BHOTWG, he spent most of his time on pre-show dark matches and in losing performances before finally being released in October 2021.

Since then, he's competed in small independent Japanese promotions like comedy promotion BSOTI and KOWG, before finally being given a chance by PGHW in July 2022. He's plenty young enough, but it waits to be seen whether he can connect with fans.

THE KIWI CRUSHER

UNIT	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	BLOOD TYPE
Pacific United	185cm	102kg	O
PLACE OF BIRTH	YEAR OF BIRTH	DEBUT	FINISHERS
Auckland, New Zealand	1997	2016	Brainbuster Suplex

 Sione Tokoeka is a New Zealander who was trained in the Mid Atlantic Boot Camp, graduating onto the main MAW roster in 2016. A very methodical and technically-minded wrestler, Tokoeka likes to wear down opponents before delivering the fatal blow with his devastating Brainbuster Suplex finish. Perhaps a little bland to ever be a big solo star, he flourished in the tag team ranks alongside Sean Noggin, another Boot Camp boy.

He no longer teams with Noggin following the latter's departure from MAW, and he now splits his time between the mid-Atlantic promotion and PGHW in Japan, where he competes as The Kiwi Crusher alongside AKIMA and Joey Fili as Pacific United. Unfortunately, he and Fili don't gel at all as partners - which limits that alliance's ability to advance.

[Scottie]

 

2022 “NIGHT OF HONOUR” - PREVIEW

TOKYO, Japan - The third of PGHW's "Glorious 4" events for 2022 will take place on Aug. 12, with a star-studded card led by a highly anticipated bout for the Glory Crown. It's been more than three years since Kozue Kawashima and Seiji Jimbo have fought over the Glory Crown, with Jimbo now running hot following his win in the Elite Series this March. Will the famous Jimbo name rise to the top of PGHW again? Or will Kawashima snuff out one of the biggest threats to his title and continue to cement his legacy as one of PGHW's greatest ever?

In the semi-main event, the Glory Tag Crown will be on the line as champions Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe face their sternest test yet against two former Glory Crown champions, Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu. Kitoaji & Kunomasu joined forces in recent months to best The Front, and last month agreed to turn their collective sights to the Glory Tag Crown. But Kobe & Satou are a stern test - the two have impressed during their first reign, and no doubt will use every trick in the book against the veteran challenges.

The Glory Tag Crown isn't the only tag title on the line, as BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi look to make their second defence against the RONIN VII pairing of Joshua Taylor & Haranobu Kobayashi. Recently, Yano & Kikuchi ended the lengthy run of KITA & SATO, and they will look to add another defence to their belt in Tokyo. But they should be warned: Kobayashi is a powerful opponent, and although now forty Joshua Taylor is a two-time International Champion.

Speaking of International Champions, the current holder SATO will combine with his partner KITA in a special tag bout against the veteran pair Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki. Now approaching four years without a title, Ugaki made clear his quest to claim gold recently - though last month suffered a setback as he and Yamanoue lost to Kitoaji & Kunomasu - effectively putting them out of the race for the Glory Tag Crown. He's now set his sights on SATO's International Title, and he'll get the chance to stake his claim here against the impressive Korean-Japanese wrestler.

In other action, the long-term rivalry between The Front and RONIN VII will continue with an eight-man tag team bout. Yasunobu Masuno has long been a thorn in the side Akinori Kwakami & Noriyori Sanda, and there have been a number of showdowns in recent months between some combination of the three. This will be another one, with two strong stables colliding in a one-fall to the finish bout.

Elsewhere, off-shoot promotion PGHW USA will be represented in two bouts at "Night of HONOUR". The first sees the former United States Champion Troy (perhaps better known for his time as Troy Tornado in TCW) team up with fellow American Andrew Harper against the young tag team from the Crimson Tigers, the Lions of Japan, Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furuta. In other action, The American Cobras will meet Pacific United's AKIMA & Joey Fili in a tag team bout. The Cobras have already announced they will be making their second appearance in the Elite Tag Series later this year, and this will be a good chance to prove their mettle against a team that recently fell short in the hunt for the Glory Tag Crown.

If that wasn't enough, there will be two singles bouts to start the show. In the opener, Bussho Makiguchi will face-off against relative newcomer Chomei Sugiyama, who debuted last month. Makiguchi showed incredible mettle at "Night of PRIDE" to pick up the decisive pinfall over Seiji Jimbo in the 5 vs. 5 Survival Match, and he will look to best the former BHOTWG junior heavyweight here in Tokyo. Elsewhere, Mutant will face-off against fellow hard-hitting heavyweight Hirobumi Takimoto in what is likely to be an outright brawl. The 27-year old American has continued to grow in stature following singles wins over the likes of Noriyori Sanda and Haranobu Kobayashi, and he now turns his attention to the 29-year old former International Champion and Elite Series competitor.

PGHW “Night of HONOUR”, 12.08.2022 (Emperor Choice/PGHW Global)
Tokyo, Japan

1. Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chomei Sugiyama.
2. Hirobumi Takimoto vs. Mutant.
3. AKIMA & Joey Fili vs.  The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane).
4. Andrew Harper &  Troy vs. The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furuta).
5. The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) vs. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Avalanche Takano, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara).
6. Special Tag Team Match: Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki vs. KITA & SATO.
7. Historical Japan Tag Team Titles: BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (c) vs. Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor (2nd defence).
8. Glory Tag Crown: Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) vs. Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu (3rd defence).
9. Glory Crown: Kozue Kawashima (c) vs. Seiji Jimbo (5th defence).

* * * * *

PGHW "NIGHT OF HONOUR" 2022 - PREDICTION KEY

GLORY CROWN

Kozue Kawashima (c) vs. Seiji Jimbo

GLORY TAG CROWN

Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) vs. Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu

HISTORICAL JAPAN TAG TEAM TITLES
BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (c) vs. Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor

GOLDEN CHASE CONTINUES
Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki vs. KITA & SATO

EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) vs. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Avalanche Takano, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara

TAG TEAM MATCH

Andrew Harper & Troy vs. The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furuta)

TAG TEAM MATCH

AKIMA & Joey Fili vs. The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane)

SINGLES MATCH
Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chomei Sugiyama

HOSS MATCH
Hirobumi Takimoto vs. Mutant

Edited November 5, 2023 by Scottie

[AboardTheArk]

PGHW "NIGHT OF HONOUR" 2022 - PREDICTION KEY

GLORY CROWN

Kozue Kawashima (c) vs. Seiji Jimbo

GLORY TAG CROWN

Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) vs. Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu

HISTORICAL JAPAN TAG TEAM TITLES
BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (c) vs. Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor

GOLDEN CHASE CONTINUES
Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki vs. KITA & SATO

EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) vs. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Avalanche Takano, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara

TAG TEAM MATCH

Andrew Harper & Troy vs. The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furuta)

TAG TEAM MATCH

AKIMA & Joey Fili vs. The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane)

SINGLES MATCH
Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chomei Sugiyama

HOSS MATCH
Hirobumi Takimoto vs. Mutant

[CGN91]

PGHW "NIGHT OF HONOUR" 2022 - PREDICTION KEY

GLORY CROWN

Kozue Kawashima (c) vs. Seiji Jimbo

GLORY TAG CROWN

Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) vs. Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu

HISTORICAL JAPAN TAG TEAM TITLES
BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (c) vs. Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor

GOLDEN CHASE CONTINUES
Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki vs. KITA & SATO

EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) vs. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Avalanche Takano, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara

TAG TEAM MATCH

Andrew Harper & Troy vs. The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furuta)

TAG TEAM MATCH

AKIMA & Joey Fili vs. The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane)

SINGLES MATCH
Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chomei Sugiyama

HOSS MATCH
Hirobumi Takimoto vs. Mutant

[Willsky]

PGHW "NIGHT OF HONOUR" 2022 - PREDICTION KEY

GLORY CROWN

Kozue Kawashima (c) vs. Seiji Jimbo
I think this could go either way, and Jimbo is a serious contender. I think he gets the big win.

GLORY TAG CROWN

Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) vs. Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu
I'd love to see Kunomasu get a heroic win, but I think Satou and Kobe will spoil the party.

HISTORICAL JAPAN TAG TEAM TITLES
BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (c) vs. Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor

GOLDEN CHASE CONTINUES
Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki vs. KITA & SATO
Ugaki wins to set up title match.

EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) vs. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Avalanche Takano, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara
I think The Front will win and regain some momentum.

TAG TEAM MATCH

Andrew Harper & Troy vs. The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furuta)

TAG TEAM MATCH

AKIMA & Joey Fili vs. The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane)

SINGLES MATCH
Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chomei Sugiyama
Simple win over youngster

HOSS MATCH
Hirobumi Takimoto vs. Mutant
Big singles win for Mutant who is destined to rise up the card

[Chaddes]

Jimbo

Satou & Kobe

Yano & Kikuchi

Yamanoue & Ugaki

RONIN VII

Harper & Troy


The American Cobras

Sugiyama

Takimoto

[Scottie]

"Night of HONOUR 2022" - Main Event Preview

Two of the biggest stars in Japanese wrestling will do battle for the third time in as many years, as Kozue Kawashima defends his Glory Crown against former champion Seiji Jimbo on Aug. 12 in Tokyo at PGHW "Night of HONOUR".

39-year old Kawashima is in the midst of his fourth reign as Glory Crown champion - a number only equalled by PGHW legend Yoshimi Mushashibo. This time last year, the veteran secured his fourth stint as champion by besting his then stablemate Chojiro Kitoaji in an epic bout at "Night of HONOUR 2021" - but this time he comes into the bout as the champion and a marked man. 

The genesis of Kawashima's fourth reign as champion began back in March 2021, as he beat Akinori Kwakami to secure back-to-back Elite Series wins. He then made the most of that by beating Kitoaji, before ending 2021 on a high with a pair of classic defences against Hirotsugu Satou (at "Night of KINGS") and Magnum Kobe (at "Night of WRESTLING"). While the defences in 2021 set the stage for an all-time run as champion, his defences thus far in 2022 have been a little more low key - first beating the veteran Kazushige Matsuki in February and most recently beating Tom Gilmore in June.

In contrast, Jimbo's 2022 has been enormous. In fact, since his first reign as Glory Crown champion ended in a shock defeat to Yasunobu Masuno in September 2020, Jimbo has gone undefeated in singles competition. His assault on the Elite Series in 2021 was derailed by injury, but he bounced back in 2022 to beat Kitoaji and Kawashima on the same night to win the Elite Series for a second time.

Coming into the bout, some might think it's the challenger Jimbo who has the advantage. He's won the last two singles bouts between the pair - the first during his first reign as champion (a stoppage victory at "Night of HONOUR" in 2020) and the second in the final of the Elite Series this March. But despite that, Jimbo will no doubt be aware of Kawashima's big match credentials - and the PGHW "ace" will no doubt be eager to avenge his last two losses to Jimbo on the big stage.

The bout is, undoubtedly, the most hotly anticipated of the year, and perhaps even more highly anticipated than their last main event match-up at the 2020 instalment of "Night of HONOUR". But whatever the result, there are a number of big names - Masaru Ugaki, Chojiro Kitoaji, Magnum Kobe, Bussho Makiguchi and Yasunobu Masuno among them - who will be ready to step up and challenge the champion after "Night of HONOUR".

* * * * *

PGHW "NIGHT OF HONOUR" 2022 - PREDICTION KEY

GLORY CROWN

Kozue Kawashima (c) vs. Seiji Jimbo

GLORY TAG CROWN

Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) vs. Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu

HISTORICAL JAPAN TAG TEAM TITLES
BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (c) vs. Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor

GOLDEN CHASE CONTINUES
Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki vs. KITA & SATO

EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) vs. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Avalanche Takano, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara)

TAG TEAM MATCH

Andrew Harper & Troy vs. The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furuta)

TAG TEAM MATCH

AKIMA & Joey Fili vs. The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane)

SINGLES MATCH
Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chomei Sugiyama

HOSS MATCH
Hirobumi Takimoto vs. Mutant

[CobheadJake]

PGHW "NIGHT OF HONOUR" 2022 - PREDICTION KEY

GLORY CROWN

Kozue Kawashima (c) vs. Seiji Jimbo

GLORY TAG CROWN

Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) vs. Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu

HISTORICAL JAPAN TAG TEAM TITLES
BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (c) vs. Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor

GOLDEN CHASE CONTINUES
Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki vs. KITA & SATO

EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) vs. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Avalanche Takano, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara

TAG TEAM MATCH

Andrew Harper & Troy vs. The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furuta)

TAG TEAM MATCH

AKIMA & Joey Fili vs. The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane)

SINGLES MATCH
Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chomei Sugiyama

HOSS MATCH
Hirobumi Takimoto vs. Mutant

[John Lions]

Been getting caught up over the past week, I love this. Glad I could get caught up in time to make predictions. The new graphics look great!

PGHW "NIGHT OF HONOUR" 2022 - PREDICTION KEY

GLORY CROWN

Kozue Kawashima (c) vs. Seiji Jimbo

I think your 39 year old ace hits his first big stumbling block - can he ever beat Seiji Jimbo? This finds Kawashima extra momentum to win the Elite series next year to get another shot at Jimbo and beat him properly for the title

GLORY TAG CROWN

Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) vs. Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu

Kobe has been the bridesmaid for much of his time in PGHW, so while Yaduda's frankly selfish decision to walk out sucked, I'm glad it gave you the chance to belt him up. I think the bad guys win this one

HISTORICAL JAPAN TAG TEAM TITLES
BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (c) vs. Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor

Kobayashi has been the next big star for five+ years now. I don't rate him highly and I would be disappointed to see him win gold when you have so many other guys riding to take the brass ring Kobayashi could never quite get his hands on

GOLDEN CHASE CONTINUES
Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki vs. KITA & SATO

I think Ugaki has a pretty good shot of dethroning SATO, but as a team Hirozaku is the clean weak link and pin eater 

EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

The Front (Goro Sakamoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) vs. RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Avalanche Takano, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara)

Coinflip, but I am hedging on The Front heading to some rough waters as Mutant challenges Masuno for the leadership role

TAG TEAM MATCH

Andrew Harper & Troy vs. The Lions of Japan (Shinji Mihara & Shozo Furuta)

Could go either way, but I think the Lions are in line for a push and Harper fits more as a challenger for Troy than a partner 

TAG TEAM MATCH

AKIMA & Joey Fili vs. The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane)

Joey is still a pin eater at this point in his career

SINGLES MATCH
Bussho Makiguchi vs. Chomei Sugiyama

I think a singles feud with his former partner is on the horizon

HOSS MATCH
Hirobumi Takimoto vs. Mutant

The rise of Mutant has been great to see - he is a very different kind of character, but I feel like he can be the 2020s Dread or James Diaz once he gets out from Masuno's shadow

[Scottie]

HONOUR TOUR
JULY - AUGUST 2022

July and August are a prestige month for PGHW. Not only does it mark the start of the second half of the calendar year, in the height of the Japanese summer, it also sees the third of PGHW's "Glorious 4" events with "Night of HONOUR".

In recent years, "Night of HONOUR" has become a culmination of the first six months in PGHW, as it has typically seen the Glory Crown Champion's big battle with the Elite Series winner (unless, of course, the Glory Crown Champion also won the Elite Series - or the Elite Series winner gave up their title shot in the interim).

2022 was no exception, with more than 53,000 people packing into a Tokyo arena to witness the much awaited showdown between Kawashima and Jimbo. But it wasn't a one-match card - oh no. There were three titles on the line in a mammoth eight match card (a tag bout involving The Lions of Japan against Troy & Andrew Harper was relegated to the pre-show - with Shozo Furuta getting the pinfall on the giant Harper).

The show started with a spirited singles bout between Bussho Makiguchi and Chomei Sugiyama. It was the best singles bout of Sugiyama's brief career, as he and Makiguchi had some excellent technical exchanges. He's come a long way since BHOTWG. The bout was fun, but ultimately Makiguchi was too strong. He's been growing as a singles force in recent months.

That bout was followed by a hard-hitting match between two big men: Hirobumi Takimoto and Mutant. The bout was short and to the point, with Mutant winning surprisingly quickly (and very cleanly) with his Tina Turner. The reason for the bout soon became clear: Mutant quickly cleared out of the ring, while an emotional Takimoto bowed to the crowd - his near eight-year stint with PGHW coming to an end.

That led to an inter promotional tag bout, as former PGHW United States Tag Team Champions The American Cobras defeated the Historical Japan Champion AKIMA and the youngster Joey Fili. Fili took the pinfall following a super kick from Marvel Molloy.

After three relatively unsurprising results, the next bout was a typical stable warfare eight-man tag between The Front and RONIN VII. These types of bouts can usually go either way, and this one was no exception. In the end, it was Michio Gensai who picked up the pin for his team over Yuri Yoshihara - but the bout itself was marked by some spirited exchanges between Yasunobu Masuno and Avalanche Takano.

Next up, there was a tag bout between former Historical Japan Tag Team Champions KITA & SATO and the veterans Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki. Most of the focus was on the growing rivalry between SATO and Ugaki, and the bout really came to life when the two met in the ring. The bout lasted a breath under 20 minutes and was an excellent affair. Ugaki ended up securing the win by forcing the tough KITA to submit to the Ugaki Clutch - all while looking the International Champion SATO directly in the eyes. After the bout, there were no surprises as Ugaki challenged SATO for the International Title - promising to make good on his quest for gold. Ever the fighting champion, SATO readily accepted.

The action didn't stop there, as a surprisingly great Historical Japan Tag Team Titles match followed. The current champions, BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi, were really put to the test by the challengers Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor, who combined well. In a fast-paced bout, it was Yano who secured the champions' second defence with the Yano Express on Taylor.

The second of the night's title bouts followed, with an eagerly anticipated tag team match for the Glory Tag Crown between the champions Magnum Kobe & Hirotsugu Satou and the team of Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu. It was Kunomasu's fifth bout since re-emerging from retirement, and it was clear that the ring rust was clearing as he moved a lot better. He was, of course, helped by the fact that there were three excellent wrestlers in the ring with him, with Kitoaji clearly starring. The 25 minute bout ebbed and flowed, and there were a number of near falls. But eventually, in a shock to many, the challengers prevailed, as Kunomasu locked the ultra tough Satou in the Kunomasu Vice and drawing the submission - ending the champions' short reign in an upset victory.

Before the main event, the PGHW leader Nobuatsu Tatsuko made a rare appearance in the ring to make a special announcement. He said that as PGHW continued to grow, it made sense that some of the best wrestlers in the world would seek to join the ranks of the proud, glorious and honourable. Then, without further ado, he announced the unthinkable arrival of the 23-year veteran of BHOTWG and the four-time BHOTWG World Champion...

Hiroaki Nakasawa! The packed crowd was surprised (though there had been rumours), as the BHOTWG legend came out to the ring in a suit to shake Tatsuko's hand. It had been more than a year since his last televised match (he'd managed just one independent match in February), and many had thought he had retired. Nakasawa kept it short and sweet - he said he was excited about the prospect of competing in PGHW and he looked forward to making his debut next month at the aptly named "Night of LEGACY".

If the crowd needed some time to recover from the shock, they didn't show it - as the show advanced immediately to the eagerly awaited main event between Kozue Kawashima and Seiji Jimbo for the Glory Crown. It was the first battle between the two over the title in two years - and it has become clear in recent months that they are the biggest stars in PGHW.

The match started slowly as the two rivals took some time feeling each other out - each, by now, knowing the other's moves. But it started to lift in intensity - and quickly became a heart in mouth affair. As has become custom in these big PGHW bouts, there were a number of finishers, attempted finishers and near falls - and the crowd was evenly split between the much loved ace Kawashima and the challenger with PGHW pedigree Jimbo. As the bout crossed the forty minute mark, both men were battered and exhausted, with welts on their respective chests following a series of brutal knife edge chops. The bout was becoming a classic.

Just when it looked like he could give no more, the challenger used all his might to send Kawashima crashing to the canvas with the Jimbo Driver. The next three seconds were the longest of the night - but this time Kawashima stayed down for the count. To his relief, Seiji Jimbo had reclaimed the Glory Crown just under two years after losing it. Meanwhile, Kawashima had again being foiled by his kryptonite - as Jimbo beat him in singles action for the third consecutive time.

PGHW “Night of HONOUR”, 12.08.2022 (Emperor Choice/PGHW Global)
Tokyo
53,507 Fans
681,861 Viewers (1.36 Rating)
[89]

1. Bussho Makiguchi defeated Chomei Sugiyama (14:52) with the Blazing Elbow. [78] [★★★¾]
2. Mutant defeated Hirobumi Takimoto (7:03) with the Tina Turner. [66] [★★½]
3.  The American Cobras (Marvel Molloy & Storm Spillane) defeated AKIMA & Joey Fili (9:26) with a Super Kick from Molloy to Fili. [63] [★★¼]
4. The Front (Goro Sakomoto, Kazushige Matsuki, Michio Gensai & Yasunobu Masuno) defeated RONIN VII (Akinori Kwakami, Avalanche Takano, Noriyori Sanda & Yuri Yoshihara) (12:32) with a German Suplex Hold from Gensai to Yoshihara. [67] [★★½]
5. Special Tag Team Match: Hirokazu Yamanoue & Masaru Ugaki defeated KITA & SATO (19:59) with the Ugaki Clutch from Ugaki to KITA. [82] [★★★★]
6. Historical Japan Tag Team Titles: BISON Yano & Brute Kikuchi (c) defeated Haranobu Kobayashi & Joshua Taylor (14:51) with the Yano Express from Yano to Taylor (2nd defence). [★★★¾]
7. Glory Tag Crown: Chojiro Kitoaji & Eisaku Kunomasu defeated Hirotsugu Satou & Magnum Kobe (c) (24:26) with the Kunomasu Vice from Kunomasu to Satou (Failed 3rd defence -> 35th Champions). [86] [★★★★¼]
8. Glory Crown: Seiji Jimbo defeated Kozue Kawashima (c) (42:18) with the Jimbo Driver (Failed 5th defence -> 28th Champion). [94] [★★★★¾]

 

* * * * *

Prediction Results:

@John Lions - 6/9

@Willsky - 6/9

@AboardTheArk - 5/9

@CobheadJake - 5/9

@CGN91 - 4/9

@Chaddes - 4/9

Thanks all for participating - some great thinking from a lot of you! No one ended up picking Kitoaji/Kunomasu for the Glory Tag Crown - maybe it was not the right decision... (Though it can't be worse than putting the Glory Crown on Masuno).

While I ended up pushing the Lions of Japan vs. Troy/Harper to the pre-show, they have been included in the scores.